title: Perforated Meckel diverticulum.
abstract: Perforation of a Meckel diverticulum (MD) is a rare complication that can often mimic appendicitis. This case report identifies a child who presented to our Emergency Department (ED) with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, free fluid and air in the abdomen and pelvis, and inflammatory changes visualized on Ultrasonography (US) and computer tomography (CT) scan. In our patient, ruptured appendicitis was suspected, and the diagnosis of ruptured MD was ultimately made by laparoscopy. This case demonstrates that a healthy degree of suspicion for complicated MD should be present when dealing with a questionable diagnosis of appendicitis, particularly in the pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Upstate Medical University, 550 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 USA.
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Kloss
authors.forename: Claire E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Broton
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sullivan